Printing sheet having a dye receiving layer

Abstract

A printing sheet which is adapted for use in thermal transfer recording comprises a substrate and a dye image-receiving layer formed on the substrate. The layer is made of a resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin, an alcohol-modified silicone and an isocyanate compound. The thermoplastic resin is preferably a cellulose ester or a polyester and the isocyanate compound is preferably a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic isocyanates at an equivalent ratio of 0.1:1 to 5:1. The printing sheet has an improved sebum resistance without lowering writing properties while ensuring good fundamental characteristics such as sensitivity and image stability.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A printing sheet including a substrate having a dye image-receiving layer thereon, the dye image-receiving layer consisting essentially of: (a) 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyesters and cellulose esters;   (b) from about 1 to about 15 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of component (a) of an isocyanate component comprising an aromatic isocyanate and an aliphatic isocyanate present an in equivalent ratio of from about 0.1:1 to about 5.1, respectively; and,   (c) from about 0.5 to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of component (a) of a hydroxyl-terminated silicone, the hydroxyl-terminated silicone having an OH equivalent of from about 5 to about 100, said printing sheet exhibiting good sebum resistance, such that artificial sebum may be applied onto a surface of the dye-receiving layer which has been printed on with a colored ink ribbon and rubbed five times substantially without any color removal, and the said printing sheet exhibiting good writing properties, such that an oil based ink pen may be used to write on the image-receiving layer and after about 5 seconds, the writing may be rubbed with a finger substantially without any ink trail being formed.   
     
     
       2. A printing sheet according to claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic resin is a polyester. 
     
     
       3. A printing sheet according to claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic resin is a cellulose ester. 
     
     
       4. A printing sheeting according to claim 1, wherein said dye receiving layer has a cured 3-dimensional structure having a thickness of about 10 μm.